BIFF bomber slain in clash with gov’t forces in Maguindanao

CAMP SIONGCO, Maguindanao — A sub-leader of the Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) was killed in a clash with soldiers and police forces in Maguindanao on Friday morning (May 21).

Brig. Gen. Roy Galido, commander of the Army’s 601^st Infantry Brigade, said Abdulatip Pendaliday, also known as Commander Grasscutter, is believed to be involved in setting off roadside bombs targeting military convoys.

Galido said that government forces were conducting clearing operations in Lipao village of Datu Paglas town, which the group occupied for six hours last May 8, when they encountered some 10 heavily armed BIFF gunmen.

Pendaliday suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died in the 10-minute clash while his companions fled.

No casualty was reported among the government troops.

Galido said that apart from alleged involvement in bombing state security forces, Pendaliday was also implicated in the murder of more than 20 people, including soldiers and police officers, and in kidnapping, motorcycle heists, and cattle rustling in Maguindanao, Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Pendaliday’s name was also linked to the selling of crystal meth and marijuana to BIFF gunmen.

Soldiers found four cal. 45 pistols, a cal. 38 revolver, a hand grenade, packs of suspected crystal meth, ammunition, and bomb components near Pendaliday’s body.

Pendaliday’s remains were turned over to the police station of Datu Paglas town for his relatives to claim.

Galido said pursuit operations against remnants of BIFF will continue relentlessly to bring about peace in troubled Datu Paglas and nearby towns.

Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, 6^th Infantry Division commander, lauded the operating units and directed all Army units to brace for possible retaliatory attacks from the BIFF to avenge the death of Pendaliday.